A Proverb A Day . . .

When I began to read my Bible today, I was thrilled to see I was beginning Proverbs again. I can say with absolute certainty that Proverbs is my favorite book of the Bible. And I’m in it quite often. The way I read my Bible, is to begin with a full page or two of Psalms, Proverbs, or Ecclesiastes, then spend some time in my normal reading from the other books. I basically go Psalms, Proverbs, Ecclesiasts, Proverbs, Psalms, Proverbs, Ecclesiastes, etc. So, as I said, I’m in Proverbs a lot.


But I love that book! There is so much wisdom, instruction, and good old fashioned common sense contained within it. And everything applies to life today. Want to know about relationships? It’s in Proverbs. Want to know about good character? It’s in Proverbs. Want to know about money? It’s in Proverbs. Want to know about how to live your life in a productive and honorable way? It’s in Proverbs. Likewise, if you want to learn how not to be or act, it too is in Proverbs. Do you see a theme here?


Every single time I read Proverbs, something jumps out at me. I’m not kidding every time. So I began my reading today with the beginning of Proverbs, which according to my current Bible, the New Living Translation, explains The Purpose of Proverbs. The first few lines, verses 2 – 4 really jumped out at me. They are:


“The purpose of these proverbs is to teach people wisdom and discipline, and to help them understand wise sayings. Through these proverbs, people will receive instruction in discipline, good conduct, and doing what is right, just, and fair. These proverbs will make the simple-minded clever. They will give knowledge and purpose to young people.” Prov. 1:2-4 (NLT)


WOW! Can you imagine what our society would be like if this stuff was actually taught? How much better off would we be if Proverbs was required reading and teaching, in the home, the schools, and the boardrooms all across America? What if all the tremendous amount of money and effort that goes into teaching liberal tolerance, sexual exploitation of children, alternative lifestyles, etc, what if that actually was used for good? What if, bear with me now, what if the content of Proverbs was actually taught in our churches?


Imagine how society would be if discipline wasn’t a bad and dreaded thing to be fought and rebelled against. Imagine if we studied Proverbs to learn how to handle money, bills, and debt? Imagine life if everyone focused on good character and how to be better people, honest, honorable and with high integrity. Imagine if people actually behaved in a way that was consistently right, just, and fair!


Alas, I know it is just wishful thinking . . . But once again I commit myself to learning and growing through Proverbs, and yes, of course, the rest of the Bible too. In it I’ve learned how to be a good wife and mother. In it I’ve learned (somewhat anyway) to tame my tongue. In it I’ve learned to seek and follow God’s will for my life, because His way is certainly better than mine.


No, I’ve not yet gotten to the finish line. I know I still have a long way to go, to be the person God created me to be. But I also know that I am not alone on this journey. Jesus is always with me. And He has given me both the Holy Spirit and His Word to guide and direct me. And once again I am thankful for it all! I’d love to give you more verses to ponder, but if I added all of the verses that speak to me, this would be about 6,000 words long. So instead, I’ll just recommend that you spend some time in Proverbs. After all, as I always say, “a Proverb a day will keep evil away.”

Never Again List

I have been struggling just a bit with what to do for my first blog post of 2009. I mean, you only get one ‘first’ of the year post. Such pressure! Just kidding – sort of. I really didn’t want to do a post about goals, resolutions or any of the typical New Years things, but at the same time I really do understand the desire to focus in on change, because after all, that’s what a new year is, right?


What I’ve decided to post is a list I recently came across, while doing some end of year cleaning. This is not a list that I compiled, but I like it very much, and so I’ve decided to share it with you. It really is an appropriate list to begin a new year. I know that I will fail in keeping this list completely, but it will serve as a reminder to renew my mind daily and take my thoughts captive. I hope you enjoy it as much as I do.


NEVER AGAIN LIST ~

Never again will I confess “I Can’t” for “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.” ~ Phil. 4:13

Never again will I confess “Lack” for “My God shall supply all my needs according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus.” ~ Phil. 4:19

Never again will I confess “Fear” for “God has not given me a spirit of fear, but of power, and love, and of sound mind.” ~ 2 Tim. 1:7

Never again will I confess “Doubt and Lack of Faith” for “God has given to every man the measure of faith.” ~ Romans 12:3

Never again will I confess “Weakness” for “The Lord is the strength of my life.” ~ Psa. 27:1

Never again will I confess “Defeat” for “God always causes me to triumph in Christ Jesus.” ~ 2 Cor. 2:14

Never again will I confess “Lack of Wisdom” for “Christ Jesus has made unto me wisdom from God.” ~ 2 Cor. 1:30

Never again will I confess “Worries and Frustrations” for “I am casting all my cares upon Him who cares for me.” ~ 1 Pet. 5:7

Never again will I confess “Condemnation” for “There is therefore now no condemnation for those which are in Jesus Christ.” ~ Romans 8:2


Praise God and Amen!

I'm Like Fine Wine

I don’t get it! I really don’t. I will be turning 40 (yes, 40) in 86 days. So why am I still breaking out like a 16 year old girl? What’s up with that? Zits, pimples, acne, whatever you choose to call it, I got it, and I’m tired of it!

I mean, if I had to still be experiencing things like I did when I was a teen, why can’t it be eating anything I want (and as much as I want), without having to worry about weight, cholesterol, osteoporosis, etc? Or how about my energy level? Why can’t I be plagued with boundless energy at all times? Seriously, the Energizer bunny had nothin’ on me! After all, when I was a teen I worked full time, went to school full time, was social full time and even managed to complete some homework. (Note I said some homework. H.S. was really more social for me and I didn’t start to really take homework seriously until I was paying for my own college courses!)

It’s not that I mind getting older – I really don’t. I’m healthier mentally, spiritually and emotionally. I’m more grounded, patient, relaxed and even, hopefully, wiser too. I love life itself and my life specifically. To be perfectly honest, I think I’m like fine wine – I’m getting better with age. And I wouldn’t go back to adolescence for anything in the world. It’s just that, well, for once in my life I’d like to have a clear complexion. Really, is that too much for a (dare I say) middle-aged woman to ask?

Moving from my own age of youth to age of maturity, I saw something on TV that really cracked me up. I was watching the 4th hour of the Today Show with Kathie Lee Gifford and Hoda Kotb today, and they had a segment on with Gene Simmons, you know, from the 70’s rock band Kiss (with the makeup, wild hair and leather). It seems that Gene has a new gig these days. Apparently, he is now one of the spokespersons for AARP (formerly the American Association of Retired Persons)! Seriously, the AARP! Does anyone else find this to be hilarious? Anyway, in his now seasoned wisdom he basically said, “The only difference between girls and women, or boys and men, is experience.” There you go – I have experience, therefore I am a woman (no matter how many zits I have).

“I’m not interested in age. People who tell me their age are silly. You’re as old as you feel.” ~ Elizabeth Arden

“Live your life and forget your age.” ~ Norman Vincent Peale

“So much has been said and sung of beautiful young girls, why don’t somebody wake up to the beauty of old women?” ~ Harriet Beecher Stowe

“First you are young; then you are middle-aged; then you are old; then you are wonderful” ~ Lady Diana Cooper

“I’d rather be over the hill than under it.” ~ my 87-yr old Gram

“I’m in pretty good shape for the shape I’m in” ~ my 87-yr old Gram

The Maze of our Lives

With the constant influx of people coming from all over the U.S., the city of Phoenix and the surrounding areas have grown rapidly. As the urban sprawl has spread further and further into the land that was once filled with farms, dairies and orchards, a way of life that has been around for generations is rapidly disappearing. For those of us who remember seeing all the cotton and cornfields, citrus groves and dairy farms, this is hardly the place we remember from years past. This is to be expected, I suppose, however it is still somewhat sad. There is a large family farm though, not too far from where I live, that has managed to remain, and even thrive, throughout all the change.

The family who owns and runs the farm looked ahead, and saw what was coming. They knew they couldn’t stop the growth and the progress from encroaching on their lives and livelihood, so instead they embraced it. While it is still a large working farm, the focus is on “agri-tourism” and it is now considered to be an “entertainment farm”. Throughout the seasons, this farm does things to bring people in and give them the opportunity to experience the land. Among the things they offer are dining, tours, various citrus and holiday festivals, a pumpkin and chili party, a petting zoo, and they even hold weddings and receptions. There is one event though, that they do every year that gains national media attention – the celebrity corn maze.

As the name suggests, the celebrity corn maze is a 10-acre cornfield that is carved into the image of a celebrity. Past celebrities include Steve Nash of the Phoenix Suns, Luis Gonzales of the AZ Diamondbacks (at that time), Larry King, Jay Leno and Oprah Winfrey. It is a wonder to be seen - from the air. From the ground it looks like, well, like a cornfield. Thousands of people traipse through the maze every year. It can be both fun and scary at the same time. It’s easy to get lost within the maze. Fortunately, they hand out maps of the maze as you enter, to help you find your way. To my knowledge, no one has been permanently lost! J

Often times our lives are like a maze. You start in one direction that you think is the correct way to go, only to find yourself at a dead end. There can be multiple turns to choose from, but only one of those turns is the right one. Sometimes you can choose to follow someone who looks like they know where they’re going, like they’re experts at this, but in the end you both get lost. Sometimes you are the leader and when you find you’ve gone the wrong way, you have to turn around and look at those you’ve led astray. Sometimes you are all alone and you get lost and you don’t know which way to turn. However you end up lost, it can be frightening and lonely. It can even seem hopeless. But it’s not.

Just like there is a map for the celebrity maze of corn, there is a map for the maze of our lives – the Bible. Within the pages of the Bible we find wisdom, instruction, comfort, and hope for the way we live our lives. We are introduced to people who are flawed and damaged, much like we are. We also see that many of these people rise above their circumstances in life to become mighty men and women who have an impact on those around them and even entire nations. The Bible shows us how to live and how to love. It is a source of strength when we are weak, and a beacon of light when we are surrounded by darkness. The Bible is God’s word to us. It holds His promises, His guidance, His comfort and His love. The Bible is alive; it breathes life into us and speaks to us today the same way that it did 200 years ago, and even nearly 2000 years ago. It is real and it is relevant.

When we are lost, overwhelmed and confused in the maze of our lives, we don’t have to stay that way. It’s natural to feel fear during those times, but it’s not natural to stay in fear. Our faith in God and His perfect love casts out fear. All we have to do is look at and follow the map. It’s there for us, but we have to choose to use it. And when we do, we see that by not giving up, we can find our way with confidence and peace, and maybe even with a little fun along the way.

“Show me your ways, O LORD, teach me your paths; guide me in your truth and teach me, for you are God my Savior, and my hope is in you all day long. Remember, O LORD, your great mercy and love, for they are from of old. Remember not the sins of my youth and my rebellious ways; according to your love remember me, for you are good, O LORD.” ~ Psalm 25:4-7

(C) 2008 Tracy Keck